You only need a basic understanding of SEO to start optimizing your website effectively. In this blog, we’ll explain the fundamentals you need to know if you’re starting out on your SEO journey. Keep reading to learn more!
Search engine optimization, more commonly known as SEO, is your key to increasing website traffic. A website that is optimized effectively will draw more visitors from search engines, helping you to increase brand awareness and drive sales. If you’re brand new to the world of SEO, it might seem complicated and difficult to understand.
Once you get past the jargon and confusing acronyms, we promise it’s not all that hard to wrap your head around!
UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
Before we delve any further into the wonderful world of SEO, stop and think about exactly who your desired target audience is. Consider the age, gender, location, and interests of your target audience. This crucial information should define your approach to SEO.
Your web content should be directly based on the characteristics of your target audience:
- the language you use in website copy
- the types of content you create and share,
- and the social media platforms you are active on should reflect the audience you are trying to reach
Next, do further research to find out more about their interests, the language that appeals to them, and the content they enjoy. We recommend checking out what your competitors are doing and taking some notes on what works and, crucially, what doesn’t. This will help you to shape your own business’ SEO strategy.
CHOOSE YOUR KEYWORDS WISELY
If you’ve ever ventured into the world of SEO before, you would undoubtedly have heard all about the importance of keywords. But, what are keywords, exactly?
Simply, keywords are single words or short phrases that help search engines match searchers with the content they’re looking for. They are used to increase your search engine rank, which is the position your website appears in when potential customers search for your chosen keywords. Ideally, you want to choose keywords that will elevate your website to the top of the first page of search results.
Now you know what keywords are and what they do, you’ll need to select some that are relevant to your business – think about the search terms your audience might be using to find your product. Search terms often relate to the products or services a business offers and the location they operate in. If you’re feeling unsure, try using a free keyword finder tool – we’re fans of Google Keyword Planner and Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest.
You can boost your search engine rank organically by including relevant keywords in the copy of each page of your website. Be careful not to overdo it, though! Inserting keywords where they don’t make sense will lower your search engine rank. It will also make your text awkward to read, which will be unappealing and distracting to website visitors.
CREATE ORIGINAL CONTENT
A popular and effective way to reach your target audience using SEO is to publish original content. Typically, this content will consist of blogs that are published to a business website. Original content can also take the form of videos, photos, or product recommendations.
The most effective original content directly relates to the products and services a business sells. For example, a travel agency targeted towards under 25’s might post blogs and vlogs about budget-friendly travel destinations, solo travel, and travelling overseas for the first time.
No matter what format you choose, make sure that it includes plenty of keywords!
These keywords should relate to both the topic the content is covering and the product or services your business sells. Including keywords in your original content will help both your content and your website as a whole rank higher on search engines. This will lead to an increase in website traffic and encourage visitors to stay on your site for longer. You should post new content consistently and often to ensure your website remains current and relevant.
Featured Course:
If this blog has inspired you to learn more about SEO, look no further! Careerline Courses’ online Internet Marketing: Advertising & SEO course will teach you the basics of optimizing your website, social media, and other web content for search engines. You’ll also learn about digital advertising, content creation, and designing effective digital marketing strategies.
WHOM IS THIS COURSE FOR?
The course is designed for anyone hoping to pursue a marketing and communications career. Aspiring marketers, SEO specialists, social media influencers, and copywriters alike will benefit from the skills and knowledge taught in this course.
It is also ideal for small business owners who want to improve their digital marketing skills. If you hope to undertake tertiary study in business, marketing, or media and communications, this course will act as a perfect stepping stone and give you a head start on your peers.
Get in touch with our friendly Information Services team for questions and assistance!
